Gene Chizik says NCAA appeal for former Gators RB Mike Blakely not over

July 22, 2011|By Rachel George, Orlando Sentinel

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Perhaps by the end of a long interview session in which Gene Chizik had been peppered with questions about the NCAA investigation into Auburn’s recruitment of Cam Newton, the Tigers’ coach missed the irony of his response. Whether he realized it or not, it was indeed ironic.

The coach of the defending BCS national champions spent much of his 40-minute interview session on SEC Media Days speaking about the investigation and a conversation he had with an NCAA official last month. As the New York Times reported last week, Chizik pressed Julie Roe Lach, the vice president for enforcement, on why Auburn hadn’t been publicly cleared as it was affecting recruiting.

After what some described as a testy exchange – Chizik refuted that Thursday – Roe Lach told him, “You’ll know when we’re finished. And we’re not finished.”

Chizik gave almost the same response when I asked him about Mike Blakely. The former Florida running back transferred to Auburn this spring after enrolling at UF in January. Blakely didn’t participate in spring drills or workouts because he had shoulder surgery in January, and that became the crux of Auburn’s NCAA appeal to have the Bradenton Manatee standout available this year.

Q: How do you feel about Mike Blakely’s appeal to the NCAA being denied? What are your expectations of him next year when he can play for you guys?

A: Again, the process is still ongoing. I’ll let everyone know when it’s not, number one.

But Michael is a good football player. Again, he came in with a recruiting class that we have high expectations for this year in terms of guys being able to contribute. That’s what we told him when we recruited him and it certainly hasn’t changed any for us right now.

So, there you go. While Blakely seems to think it’s over, his coach says otherwise. For Florida fans, it’s worth following along. The Gators play at Auburn on Oct. 15.